X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Beam control – Collimator
Reexamination Certificate
2005-07-19
2005-07-19
Church, Craig E. (Department: 2882)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Beam control
Collimator
C378S148000, C378S158000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06920203
ABSTRACT:
A technique for selectively attenuating a radiation exposure in which a configurable collimator is employed between the radiation source and the radiation target. The configurable collimator typically comprises an array of independently addressable elements each of which has at least a high and a low attenuation state, though intermediate states may also be accommodated. The elements of the array may be selectively addressed to determine their state and to determine the attenuation profile of the collimator. One embodiment of the technique employs an array of microactuated attenuating louvers which may be selectively actuated to determine their radiation transmittance. A second embodiment of the technique employs a suspension of attenuating nematic colloids which may be ordered by the application of an electric or magnetic field. The ordered state of the nematic colloids within an element determine the radiation transmittance of that element. A third embodiment of the technique employs microfluidics to fill an array of fluid chambers with an attenuating fluid. The level of filling within each chamber determines the attenuation produced by that array element.
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Short Jonathan
Tkaczyk John Eric
Tsakalakos Loucas
Yanoff Brian David
Church Craig E.
General Electric Company
Kiknadze Irakli
Yoder Fletcher
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